Margarites - Arkadi - Patsos

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Details

DURATION

6 - 8 hours

DIFFICULTY

Medium

GROUP SIZE

2 - 6 persons

SCHEDULE

Every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday

TYPE

Small group

PICK UP TIME

09:00 (Depending on your hotel)

PICK UP PLACE

Hotels in Rethymno district

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Highlights

Discover Margarites village, its extraordinary architecture and lovely narrow streets
Watch the demonstration of traditional pottery making
Enjoy a traditional coffee at the kafeneio while having a breathtaking view
Admire the remarkable scenery of Arkadi monastery and learn about its history
Explore the Patsos gorge, its natural beauty and its rich flora and fauna
Feel the religiousness of the unique cavernous church of St. Antony
Taste the Cretan gastronomy at a local taverna and enjoy the house wine

ITINERARY

Every Stop a Unique Experience

1st Stop

A small beautiful village

We will start the tour by visiting a beautiful well-hidden village, Margarites. The tradition of pottery goes back many generations in this village and you will be able to find an elder to show you how the pots are hand thrown. The village, which has some extraordinary architecture and lovely narrow winding streets, is worth being explored. You will wander through Margarites, watch a demonstration of creating unique pottery products at an expert's workshop and then enjoy a traditional coffee at a small kafeneio.

1st Stop

A small beautiful village

2 nd Stop

Feel the sanctity of Arkadi

2nd Stop

Feel the sanctity of Arkadi

After a 25' drive, we will continue to the religious and historical part of the tour. The goal is to make you familiar with Cretan culture and religious customs. Arkadi Monastery is perhaps the best known monastery in Crete due to the Holocaust of 1866. However, its location and impressive architecture make it all more special. It is a large fortified complex built during the end of the period of Venetian rule. We will escort you to explore this magnificent monument, but, since our guides are not official, it is forbidden for them to give tours inside historical monuments. If you wish to have an official history guide, we will be happy to book one for you upon communication!

3rd Stop

Let’s explore the nature of Crete

The gorge of Patsos is a small yet magnificent gorge, which begins at Ano Assites. The whole area around the gorge is of particular natural beauty. In the gorge one can see rare species of flora and fauna, which are protected by European legislation. In fact, there are 80 species of flora, of which 4 are protected, 24 species of fauna, of which 11 are protected and 16 species of birds, of which 8 are protected. You are going to enjoy a small picnic at the facilities of the gorge, as you are watching a spring of running water near the river. A beautiful attraction of the gorge is the cavernous church of St. Anthony in the rocky walls, a former temple of Hermes. From there you will follow the trail to Potami dam. On the sides of the gorge there is an observation deck for birds in the area. Usually, hiking lasts about 3 1/2 hours but depending on the weather and physical condition of the travelers, we could hike more or less. The tour ends with the most wonderful way: full lunch and house wine in a traditional local restaurant so as to taste the Cretan way of cooking.

3rd Stop